Mathieu Schneider’s historical footnote

Mathieu Schneider played just one season for the Ducks and was about to begin a second last year, when the Ducks needed to make room for the suddenly un-retired Teemu Selanne. Schneider’s status was in limbo for several weeks during training camp last September, before he was finally traded to Atlanta on the eve of the season opener.


Fresh off signing a free-agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks, Schneider told the Vancouver Provincetoday that he nearly was dealt straight from the Ducks to the Canucks: “I knew last year when I was in Anaheim (that) Mike (Gillis, Vancouver’s GM) was trying to trade for me. I found out later from a couple of people on the Ducks organization that he was about a day away from getting me before I got traded to Atlanta.”

Anaheim received Brad Larsen, Ken Klee and minor-league forward Chad Painchaud from Atlanta, and none of the three are still under contract to the Ducks. Just to serve our curiosity, we checked with former GM Brian Burke to see what the potential Schneider-to-Vancouver deal would have fetched the Ducks in return. In an e-mail, Burke said he didn’t recall any of the specifics, but that Schneider’s take is probably accurate.

Alas, the rest is history.

Bobby Ryan talks Olympics.

Ducks forward Bobby Ryan was about to take aim at a fairway this afternoon and sounded less intimidated by the hole in front of him than the possibility of making the U.S. Olympic Hockey team.


Surreal is probably the best word,” said Ryan, who along with Ryan Whitney was one of two Ducks invited to the three-day orientation camp last week in Chicago. “With some of the big names out there, it was pretty incredible to get to skate, pal around and get to know the guys.”

Continue reading “Bobby Ryan talks Olympics.” »

Ducks participating in charity game tomorrow.

Todd Marchant and Teemu Selanne will participate in the 12th Annual Fedorin Cup charity hockey game Saturday at Anaheim Ice.

This year’s event will consist of a charity exhibition game between current and former NHL players, local pros and standouts in a Team Canada vs. Team USA format. There will be both a live and silent auction; postgame VIP Anaheim ICE plaza party with exclusive VIP live auction and casino-style gaming, opportunity drawing and celebrity appearances.

The Fedorin Cup was established in 1998 when Eric Fedorin, a 36-year-old local California hockey player, was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away a short time after the inaugural event. In is his memory, the Athletic Sports Fund of America-ASFA will donate a portion of all proceeds to NHL Hockey Fights Cancer, the American Cancer Society and offer grants to athletes in need.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults, $5 for youth 11-17, and FREE for children 10 and under with an adult. For more information on the event or to order tickets or VIP packages online, visit www.asfamerica.com.

The event doors open at 2:30 p.m. at Anaheim Ice (300 W. Lincoln Ave., near downtown Anaheim). Silent auction begins at 3:30 with warmups and the game to follow at 4 p.m.

Ducks, Bakersfield renew affiliation.

The Ducks have renewed their affiliation agreement with the Bakersfield Condors, which served as the team’s ECHL farm team last season.

Anaheim assigned right wing Chad Painchaud, defenseman Andrew Thomas and center Matt Caruana to Bakersfield and a record eight Condors were called up to the American Hockey League, including six players from the Ducks organization.

“We are very excited to extend our affiliation agreement with the Condors,” said David McNab, the Ducks’ vice president of hockey operations. “The close proximately [sic] of Bakersfield and the Condors on-ice success make the organization an ideal affiliate for the Ducks and California hockey fans.”

“Last season was a get-to-know-each-other season, and I think in
Year Two the benefits to both organizations will increase and our fans will be pleased with the on-ice results,” Bakersfield president Matthew Riley added.

The Ducks have yet to name an AHL affiliate for next season.

Getzlaf update from Calgary

Ryan Getzlaf is with the Canadian Olympic team hopefuls in Calgary this week for orientation camp. He still isn’t skating, however, while he recovers from sports hernia surgery. But Getzlaftold the Toronto Star he expects to be ready for training camp with the Ducks:“Probably after this camp I’ll get back on the ice a little bit just kind of by myself and get the flow going,” he said.

Ducks announce rookie camp schedule.

The newest Ducklings will be on display Sept. 5 at Anaheim Ice, when 2009 draft picks Peter Holland (first round, 15th overall), Matt Clark (second round) and Scott Valentine (sixth round) participate in the Ducks’ annual rookie camp. The 2 p.m. practice is open to the public.

They will be joined by previous first-round selections Mark Mitera (19th overall in 2006) and center Logan MacMillan (19th overall in 2007). Left wing Matt Beleskey, who made his NHL debut with the Ducks last season, will also be among the 14 forwards on the 25-man roster.

The camp includes a three-game rookie series against the San Jose Sharks at Sharks Ice from Sept. 7-9, with all games being held at 7 p.m.
Continue reading “Ducks announce rookie camp schedule.” »

Ducks name new radio color analyst.

I’ve been holding onto this tidbit for a few days, but it looks like the Orange County Register is letting it out of the bag: Longtime Register beat writer Dan Wood will replace Brent Severyn as the Ducks’ radio color commentator this season.

It’s the first full-time radio gig for Wood, and his background figures to add a different flavor than that of Severyn, a former player. He’s got all of the knowledge and a good enough sense of humor to fill the shoes of Severyn, who brought roughly a 1-to-1 joke-to-insightful comment ratio. Gauging effective sports commentary is extremely subjective, but it should be a seamless transition. “Woody” is a good guy and well-respected by players and coaches.

This much I know: I won’t miss getting beat in print darn near every day.

Update: Here is the official release from the Ducks.

Update 2:

The team extended its radio broadcast agreement with AM 830 KLAA. The one-year deal includes pre-, regular and postseason coverage.

Report: Dineen hired as AHL assistant.

The Toronto Globe and Mail reports that Gord Dineen, the Ducks’ top minor-league coach a year ago, will be one of two assistant coaches next season for the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate.


Dineen was the Iowa Chops’ head coach last season, and was the top assistant to brother Kevin Dineen the year before when the Portland Pirates were the Ducks’ AHL affiliate. He will have the distinction of being the only head coach in Chops history, as well as being immortalized in this non-fight with Willi Plett in the mid-80’s.